The CSIR collaborated with Transnet to develop a device to detect obstacles and defect on railway tracks in real time. Read about this and other research and development projects in the latest CSIR annual report.

The CSIR and partners designed and implemented interventions in the Zaalklapspruit Wetland in South Africa’s polluted upper Olifants River catchment. The wetland system showed an almost immediate improvement.

Focus Areas

Students to represent SA at supercomputing competition in Germany next year

South African students from different universities will represent the country at the International Student Cluster Competition hosted at the 2018 International Supercomputing Conference in Germany. The students came first at a national competition which took place during the annual Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) conference in Pretoria last week.

Africa must participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The next industrial revolution must be inclusive and the science community must ensure that young people are empowered to participate, says Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Deputy President addressed thousands of people who packed the CSIR International Convention Centre today, for the first day of the Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) 2017, joined by the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor.

About Us

About us

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, commonly known as the CSIR, is a world-class African research and development organisation established through an Act of Parliament in 1945.

The CSIR undertakes directed, multidisciplinary research and technological innovation that contributes to the improved quality of life of South Africans. The organisation plays a key role in supporting government’s programmes through directed research that is aligned with the country’s priorities, the organisation’s mandate and its science, engineering and technology competences.

Key issues that the CSIR seeks to address through various interventions include: creating a vibrant economy and employment opportunities; building a capable state that is able to consistently deliver high-quality services for all South Africans; contributing to the development of economic and social infrastructure like transport, energy, water resources and ICT networks.

The CSIR’s shareholder is the South African Parliament, held in proxy by the Minister of Science and Technology.

CSIR geospatial experts have helped government assess the location of magisterial district courts in an effort to ease the access to courts.

Infrastructure is a key part of improving service delivery. However, the spatial distribution of infrastructure must be based on where people live and where they can best access such services. To support this objective, the CSIR has undertaken geospatial accessibility analyses for a range of purposes.

CSIR research to determine the monetary value of the impact of aphids on selected commercial small grains in the Western Cape concluded that aphid-related problems is insignificant from a financial perspective. Aphids (commonly referred to as plant lice) are small insects that suck sap from plants.

The South African National Defence Force recently launched a range of new military vehicles that will be used to patrol South Africa’s borders. The CSIR played a key role in determining which vehicles would be best suited for the job as well as how these can be modified to achieve maximum impact while also reducing the environmental impact caused by larger military type vehicles.

Multimedia Gallery

The CSIR and Stellenbosch University are collaborating to boost local training of experts to do fundamental research in the field of quantum physics. CSIR physicist, Dr Herman Uys, is the research chair in quantum, optical and atomic physics at the university’s science faculty.

Collaborating to advance quantum physics

The CSIR and Stellenbosch University are collaborating to boost local training of experts to do fundamental research in the field of quantum physics. CSIR physicist, Dr Herman Uys, is the research chair in quantum, optical and atomic physics at the university’s science faculty.

The CSIR has developed an innovative shared awareness and integration platform, Cmore, using modern web and mobile technology. It addresses the need for situation awareness and collaboration amongst users through the consolidation of information from various sensors and external systems as well as real-time analytics.

Cmore wildlife in action

The CSIR has developed an innovative shared awareness and integration platform, Cmore, using modern web and mobile technology. It addresses the need for situation awareness and collaboration amongst users through the consolidation of information from various sensors and external systems as well as real-time analytics.

The CSIR helps entrepreneurs who wish to grow their businesses but find themselves in unfamiliar environmental regulatory territory through the Special Needs and Development Programme of the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Helping entrepreneurs with environmental impact assessments

The CSIR helps entrepreneurs who wish to grow their businesses but find themselves in unfamiliar environmental regulatory territory through the Special Needs and Development Programme of the Department of Environmental Affairs.

The CSIR, in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, has developed a robotic system for horticultural monitoring. This precision-farming tool consists of an automated mobile platform fitted with sensors to monitor plant growth and to estimate grape yield.

CSIR develops vineyard robot

The CSIR, in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, has developed a robotic system for horticultural monitoring. This precision-farming tool consists of an automated mobile platform fitted with sensors to monitor plant growth and to estimate grape yield.

Local experts are collaborating to build a capability in the analysis and design of aircraft fuel tanks. The collaborators are the CSIR (through the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative, an initiative of the dti), Denel Aerostructures and the University of Pretoria.

Making sense of fuel sloshing

Local experts are collaborating to build a capability in the analysis and design of aircraft fuel tanks. The collaborators are the CSIR (through the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative, an initiative of the dti), Denel Aerostructures and the University of Pretoria.